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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-26107; Project Identifier 2004-SW-30-AD; Amendment
39-21549; AD 2021-10-16]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Carson Helicopters, Inc.; Croman
Corporation; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation; and Siller Helicopters
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all
Carson Helicopters, Inc., Model S-61L and SH-3H helicopters; Croman
Corporation Model SH-3H helicopters; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
Model S-61A, S-61D, S-61E, and S-61V helicopters; and Siller
Helicopters Model CH-3E and SH-3A helicopters. This AD was prompted by
an accident. This AD requires tracking hours time-in-service (TIS) and
external lift cycles (lift cycles) for certain main gearbox left and
right input freewheel unit (IFWU) assemblies. This AD also requires
determining the type of IFWU assembly installed and depending on the
results, calculating the moving average, repetitive inspections,
recording certain information, replacing parts, and marking parts. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective July 1, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 1,
2021.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact your local Sikorsky Field Representative or Sikorsky's Service
Engineering Group at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, 124 Quarry Road,
Trumbull, CT 06611; telephone 1-800-Winged-S; email
wcs_cust_service_eng.gr-sik@lmco.com. Operators may also log on to the
Sikorsky 360 website at https://www.sikorsky360.com. You may view this
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX
76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov
by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2006-26107.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2006-26107; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, any
comments received, and other information. The address for Docket
Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue
SE, Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Isabel Saltzman, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA
01803; telephone 781-238-7649; email Isabel.L.Saltzman@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Sikorsky Aircraft
Corporation Model S-61 A, D, E, and V helicopters; Croman Corporation
Model SH-3H helicopters, Carson Helicopters, Inc. Model S-61L
helicopters; and Siller Helicopters Model CH-3E and SH-3A helicopters.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 30, 2006 (71 FR
63272). The NPRM was prompted by an accident in which the left and
right IFWU assembly on a helicopter slipped or disengaged resulting in
both engines overspeeding, engine shutdowns, and loss of engine power
to the transmissions. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require creating
a component history card or equivalent record and recording the hours
TIS and the lift cycles for each affected main gearbox left and right
IFWU assembly. The NPRM also proposed to require determining if the
IFWU assembly is a repetitive external lift (REL) or non-REL IFWU
assembly. The determination includes calculating a moving average of
lift cycles per hour TIS at specified intervals on each IFWU assembly.
For REL IFWU assemblies, the NPRM proposed to require repetitive
inspections, which include visual and dimensional inspections, of the
IFWU assembly for wear, surface distress, and endplay, recording
certain information, and replacing affected parts with an airworthy
part. In addition, the NPRM proposed to require permanently marking the
REL IFWU camshafts and gear housings with the letters ``REL'' on the
surface of these parts.
The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM)
to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Carson
Helicopters, Inc., Model S-61L and SH-3H helicopters; Croman
Corporation Model SH-3H helicopters; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
Model S-61A, S-61D, S-61E, and S-61V helicopters; and Siller
Helicopters Model CH-3E and SH-3A helicopters. The SNPRM published in
the Federal Register on March 15, 2021 (86 FR 14285). The SNPRM was
prompted by a determination that additional camshaft and gear housing
part numbers need to be marked and the applicability and certain
compliance times need clarification. The SNPRM proposed to require the
same actions specified in the NPRM. The SNPRM also proposed to mark
additional camshaft and gear housing part numbers. Additionally, the
SNPRM clarified the applicability and certain compliance times. The FAA
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from one commenter. The commenter was
Croman Corp. The commenter supported the SNPRM without change.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting the AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this
AD is adopted as proposed in the SNPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Alert Service
Bulletin 61B35-67B, Revision B, dated August 11, 2003. This service
information specifies, among other actions, procedures for inspections,
which includes visual and dimensional inspections, of the IFWU assembly
for wear, surface distress, and endplay, and for recording certain
information. This service information is reasonably available because
the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Other Related Service Information
The FAA also reviewed Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation All Operators
Letter (AOL) CCS-61-AOL-04-0005, dated May 18, 2004. This service
information provides an example and additional information about
tracking cycles and the moving average procedure.
The FAA also reviewed Sikorsky Aircraft S-61L/N Overhaul Manual,
SA4045-83, Revision 20, dated August 15, 2003, as revised by Temporary
Revisions 65-193, -194, -195, and -196, which contains the overhaul
procedures for the IFWU assembly.
Differences Between This AD and the Service Information
The effectivity of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Alert Service
Bulletin 61B35-67B, Revision B, dated August 11, 2003, includes Model
S-61 L, N, NM, and R helicopters. However, for those helicopters, the
unsafe condition is addressed in AD 2007-01-05, Amendment 39-14876 (72
FR 1139, January 10, 2007). Therefore, those helicopters are not
included in the applicability of this AD.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Alert Service Bulletin 61B35-67B,
Revision B, dated August 11, 2003, specifies contacting Sikorsky and
providing information to Sikorsky. This AD does not require you to
contact Sikorsky or provide information to Sikorsky.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 55 helicopters of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
|
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
Cost on
U.S. operators
|
| Creating history card; determining
type of IFWU assembly; inspecting IFWU assemblies; recording information;
replacing parts; and marking certain parts. |
Up to 8 work-hours
x $85 per hour = $680 |
Up to $1,975 |
Up to $2,655 |
Up to $146,025 |
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
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